Today is the first of the Malayalam month, 'Thulaam'. Going as per the past hundreds of years of weather pattern, it also marks the beginning of the famed 'Thulaavarsham' - the advent of the north east monsoon. The rains during the following three month period have the under mentioned characteristics:-
(a) Marked by heavy showers.
(b) The rains fall from late afternoon and into the middle of the night and
(c) Are generally accompanied by lightning and thunder!
True to traditions, the rains did come this afternoon a trifle after 4 PM and boy, what a deluge it was! The immediate area, surrounding the temple, was heavily waterlogged within the period that lasted for about an hour and a half. The arterial road and the side alleys had shipped in waist deep water and the heavy traffic was brought to a standstill. The uncouth behaviour of the motorists only helped to worsen the situation.
Lekha, along with her understudy and her daughter, had to do auto rickshaw hopping and were privy to the chaos as they'd gone out to make sundry purchases for the upcoming Diwali celebration. Since 'The Quarterdeck' is perched on relatively higher ground, we're spared of the unwieldy accumulation of rain water coupled with the dirty drainage flow!
In this context, I'd like to narrate a related story. It has been announced that the last month's earnings of the Guruvayur temple, by way of the pilgrims' offerings was Rs. 3.86 crores, gold amounting to 3kg, 71gm, 855mg and silver amounting to 500mg. This does not take into account a certain amount of money that was destroyed by water seepage and rust of the receptacles, mind you - the loss is being ascertained, say the temple authorities.
My take.
I've said this earlier too. The following need to be done and it should be the standard government policy to cover all important places of pilgrimage, tourist spots and symbols of heritage:-
(a) Ingress and egress to the sites should be easy. World class highways with adequate support
systems, enroute, must be ensured. Adequate parking space for vehicles and living space
for the transiting population are necessary.
(b) The infrastructure in and around the complexes must be of a high standard. Setting up of
'no vendor zones' within the immediate vicinity is an essential requisite.
(d) A zero tolerance to lack of cleanliness.
(e) The money received as offerings/entry fees can be utilised for meeting the expenses to
avoid burdening the state exchequer.
Tailpiece.
The sad state of affairs have been pointed out time and again, but the vested interests smother any form of development. The ordinary citizens must collectively fight the menace to bring about the badly needed change so that their Guruvayur becomes a world class pilgrimage spot!
(a) Marked by heavy showers.
(b) The rains fall from late afternoon and into the middle of the night and
(c) Are generally accompanied by lightning and thunder!
True to traditions, the rains did come this afternoon a trifle after 4 PM and boy, what a deluge it was! The immediate area, surrounding the temple, was heavily waterlogged within the period that lasted for about an hour and a half. The arterial road and the side alleys had shipped in waist deep water and the heavy traffic was brought to a standstill. The uncouth behaviour of the motorists only helped to worsen the situation.
Lekha, along with her understudy and her daughter, had to do auto rickshaw hopping and were privy to the chaos as they'd gone out to make sundry purchases for the upcoming Diwali celebration. Since 'The Quarterdeck' is perched on relatively higher ground, we're spared of the unwieldy accumulation of rain water coupled with the dirty drainage flow!
In this context, I'd like to narrate a related story. It has been announced that the last month's earnings of the Guruvayur temple, by way of the pilgrims' offerings was Rs. 3.86 crores, gold amounting to 3kg, 71gm, 855mg and silver amounting to 500mg. This does not take into account a certain amount of money that was destroyed by water seepage and rust of the receptacles, mind you - the loss is being ascertained, say the temple authorities.
My take.
I've said this earlier too. The following need to be done and it should be the standard government policy to cover all important places of pilgrimage, tourist spots and symbols of heritage:-
(a) Ingress and egress to the sites should be easy. World class highways with adequate support
systems, enroute, must be ensured. Adequate parking space for vehicles and living space
for the transiting population are necessary.
(b) The infrastructure in and around the complexes must be of a high standard. Setting up of
'no vendor zones' within the immediate vicinity is an essential requisite.
(d) A zero tolerance to lack of cleanliness.
(e) The money received as offerings/entry fees can be utilised for meeting the expenses to
avoid burdening the state exchequer.
Tailpiece.
The sad state of affairs have been pointed out time and again, but the vested interests smother any form of development. The ordinary citizens must collectively fight the menace to bring about the badly needed change so that their Guruvayur becomes a world class pilgrimage spot!
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